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Toyota RAV4 Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean and replace the engine air filter of a third generation 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4 with the 2AR-FE 2.5L motor.

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2.5L Engine Air Filter Box
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Release Metal Clasp
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Release 2nd Fastener
This automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012) Toyota RAV4 in cleaning or replacing the engine air filter element for the 2.5L 2AR-FE motor.

Owners of other Toyota or Scion vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter 2AR-FE engine such as the Camry and tC or other models such as the Yaris, Corolla, Prius, Sienna, Avalon, Venza, and Matrix, may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement engine air filter elements with their part numbers include the following: Fram CA10169, Toyota 17801-AD010, Purolator A45650, K&N 33-2355, Pentius PAB10169, Hastings AF1291 or CFA1291, Beck Arnley 042-1718, Valvoline # VA-209 and ACDelco A3104C.

No tools are needed to access the engine air filter.

A wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the existing element or removing debris from the air box.



 
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Lift Up Top Half Air Box
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Pull Out Old Air Filter
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Inspect Both Sides
The first two steps are to pop open the hood and move to the right rear section of the engine bay closest to the driver's seat.

The top half of the air box is held in place by two metal clasps with one at the front and the second at the left side.

Push on the metal clasps to release the fasteners and lift up the top half of the air box.

Slide the old air filter element straight out of the air box.

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Tap Out Large Debris
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Toyota 17801-AD010
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OEM Filter By Denso



 

The OEM engine air filter element on this 2012 RAV4 was Toyota part # 17801-AD010.

If your original filter looks relatively clean, just tap out the large debris, vacuum out the air box and replace the filter.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, leaves, and insects, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Fram CA10169 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

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Clean Out Lower Half
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Slide In New Filter
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Insert Tabs In To Slots
Slide the cleaned or new air filter back in to the lower half of the air box.

Replace the top half of the air box by first inserting the tabs on the rear in to the slots on the lower half.

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Fasten Front Metal Clasp
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Snap On Side Fastener
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Engine Air Filter Replaced
Swing the two metal clasps up and snap them in place on the top half of the air box.

Make sure that the two halves of the air box are flush together all the way around with no part of the air filter visible.

For more, check out my other Toyota RAV4 Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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